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Help save the Green Teens & other programs!

For the past six years Common Ground Farm has partnered with Cornell Cooperative Extension's Green Teen Community Gardening Program, bringing local teens into the fields to work alongside the farmer and learn about the food system.

For the past two years the partnership with the Green Teens has grown to running a full-blown mobile market bringing reduced priced food to Beacon seniors and low-income residents, food by Common Ground, staffed by teens.

This program is under threat.

But beyond the cuts to Green Teens, there is a proposed cut of 84% (essentially zeroing it out) to Cornell Cooperative Extension of Dutchess County. CCE is an invaluable resource for Common Ground Farm and other small farms, assisting them in identifying pests and diseases in the fields and consulting on methods of treatment. They rely on this service as a small farm and these cuts will directly impact them.

The County Executive has released his proposed budget for 2011, which reflects a $774,770 (84%) cut in County funding for your Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County Association.

Only $150,000 remains in the County Executive’s proposed 2011 Budget. This proposed 84% reduction will result in the elimination of essentially all of our educational programs and services. The Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County you know and rely on today will not exist next year.

While we recognize that resources are limited and that these are difficult times, please contact the Dutchess County Legislators and voice your concerns about the funding cuts.

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Pinched for money? Cut off education and culture. So frivolous. Teens have Facebook and texting, they don't need to be mucking about in a garden. What does that have to do with becoming a service worker, anyway?